Another bizarre one from the Raptors. Couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn early on (Jonas Valanciunas aside), couldn’t miss later on.
What’s with this team? They shoot 35% in first quarters, by far the worst mark in the NBA, make a ton of turnovers and get outscored handily.
Then, the same group of players shoot 50.7% in third quarters (behind only Finals favourites Cleveland and San Antonio), make the 12th-fewest turnovers and lead the league in point differential in those frames.
Weird, and hard to figure out.
“I wish I could say that (it’s the half-time speeches that are making the difference),” said Dwane Casey.
“It’s those guys getting into it, following the game plan and playing with force on both ends, that’s the main thing.
“I think a lot of times guys try to feel the game out and not go in and not go in and put your stamp on it at the beginning of the game and that’s our next step.”
Also puzzling? Toronto ranks in the top five in offensive rebounding, yet it is something Casey said the team never works on.
FINDING THE RANGE
One of the most welcome things for the Raptors was Patrick Patterson finding his jump shot for the first time in a while.
Since starting the season a sizzling 8-for-15 from three-point range, Patterson had gone a dreadful 2-for-19.
But against New Orleans, he was a key part of the comeback. He shook off a couple of open misses to hit important threes, had a big offensive rebound he converted into a basket and spaced the floor, which is his job.
Casey had said he simply had to keep shooting and that he had “they yips” a little bit, like a golfer.
Patterson said his confidence hadn’t wavered during his slump.
“I’m always confident in my game,” he said.
“The only thing that really matters to me is defence. As long as I’m effective on the defensive end, talking, communicating and covering my responsibilities, the rest will take care of itself. When my shot falls, my confidence goes up. Progressively, the (overall) offence is starting to flow and that’s better for me.”
POOF, HE’S GONE
James Johnson went from two strong starts and a third where he played well defensively, but struggled at the other end, to a healthy scratch. Is that a surprise? Not really. That’s how Casey operates. He hates messing with his rotations, and with DeMarre Carroll back and taking up all of the minutes (and more) Johnson was playing when he was out, there simply was no room to insert Johnson back in, despite his good play. Casey didn’t want to give him garbage minutes.
Casey was impressed with what Johnson did and how he played in control, he just isn’t going to change the way he handles rotations to reward him for it.
It might be wise to dial back Carroll’s minutes a bit, given his plantar fasciitis and maybe play Johnson five minutes or so a night.
Just a thought.
ON DANCER
Just as it was hard not to feel for Sixers coach Brett Brown the other day because of the state of that franchise, it was also hard not to empathize with Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, given the horror-show he has had to deal with injury-wise.
Top three NBAer Anthony Davis sat out again due to a hip injury, Jrue Holiday is on a minutes limit, Tyreke Evans was out and on it goes.
At least Gentry, one of the most well-liked people in the NBA, is keeping his sense of humour.
Asked pre-game about his injury list, Gentry said:
“Anthony tried and he won’t go tonight. It’s not worth the risk and he’s not feeling great. He won’t go, obviously Tyreke and Norris (Cole) and Dancer and Prancer and Rudolph, those guys are out.”
FUN WITH NUMBERS
Raptors overall offensive rating: 103.9, 8th in NBA.
In first quarters: 84.8, last in NBA.
In third quarters: 120.4, first in NBA.
Raptors overall defensive rating: 98.0, 9th in NBA.
In first quarters: 98.3, 14th in NBA.
In third quarters: 102.7, 16th in NBA.